used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
Abbott's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
abruptnessnounUS /əˈbrʌptnəs/
an abrupt discourteous manner
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
in the past
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
in addition
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
of short duration or distance
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
claritynounUS /ˈklerəti/
free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
cohereverbUS /koʊˈhɪr/
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
communicationsnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz/
the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
denudedadjectiveUS /dɪˈnuːdɪd/
without the natural or usual covering
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
endeavoredverbUS /ɪnˈdevərd/
past form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
enigmaticadjectiveUS /ˌenɪɡˈmætɪk/
not clear to the understanding
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
Fessenden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fessenden pondered over this letter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
imagesnounUS /ˈɪmədʒəz/
plural of “image” — an iconic mental representation
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
impotentlyadverb
in a helpless manner
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
impressionsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃənz/
plural of “impression” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Fessenden pondered over this letter.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Fessenden pondered over this letter.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading Fessenden pondered over this letter.
unusual or striking
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
done under pressure
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
sharpenverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpən/
make sharp or sharper
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
shruggedverbUS /ʃrʌɡd/
inflected form of “shrug” — raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Fessenden pondered over this letter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
under normal conditions
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was enigmatic, and Mr. Abbott’s brief communications were usually remarkable for their clarity.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It also occurred to him with startling abruptness that he had never seen his father’s signature.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As he stood staring at the paper, shadowy images, impressions, chance words, blurred pictures rose from some forgotten well in his mind, endeavored to sharpen, to cohere; but they faded away impotently; the vital interests of the morrow rushed in and claimed place; he shrugged his shoulders and sent his father a telegram.
a late time of life
From this reading He had made up his mind four years ago that his father was an inventor, and denuded him of all mystery.
